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Transition Sheffield 3x3 Film Festival

Transition Sheffield | 10.09.2008 14:52 | Climate Chaos | Sheffield

Transiton Sheffield are a new group aiming to raise awareness about climate change and the looming energy crisis and how they will transform our lives.

We hope that a number of local groups may start up in Sheffield, and we've set up a mini Film Festival to kick things off. See below for upcoming film screenings for the Autumn.

If you'd like to receive updates about future events, then send an email to:  sheffieldtransitiontown-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

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3 films in 3 areas: Meersbrook, Nether Edge and Burngreave
3 films in 3 areas: Meersbrook, Nether Edge and Burngreave


We are screening 3 films in 3 areas: Meersbrook, Nether Edge and Burngreave. These will start at 7.00pm and we hope to include refreshments and have some time for discussion at these events. All events are free (though donations to help cover our costs are always appreciated).

Thursday 11th September—Meersbrook
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.

Tuesday 16th September—Nether Edge
Six Degrees Could Change the World

A National Geographic documentary based on the highly acclaimed book by Mark Lynas. Using stunning special effects the film looks at how each 1 degree of temperature rise would affect the life on earth up to six degrees.

Wednesday 1st October—Meersbrook
What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire

An intense and passionate film focusing on four problems: peak oil, climate change, mass extinction, population overshoot. After examining the problems the film looks at how we got to this state where in tracing humanities past, cultural myths, psychology and more. Interviews with Daniel Quinn, Richard Heinberg, Derrick Jenson and many others. A powerful must see film.

Monday 6th October—Nether Edge
End of Suburbia

High fuel and food bills, recession and unemployement are just the beginning a crisis known as peak oil: the beginning of the decline in global oil supplies. The implications of this crisis mean a profound shift in the way we live. Still the best documentary on peak oil.

Tuesday 14th October —Burngreave
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.

Weds 29th October —Burngreave
A night of film shorts: Carbon Weevil; The Story of Stuff; I Am Only a Child

We kick off with an amusing animation about the carbon cycle and climate change, then delve into an enthralling and provocative animation of consumer culture, and round off with a compelling call to action from the Environmental Children's Organisation at the 1992 Earth Summit.

Monday 3rd November—Meersbrook
Designing Pathways from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience

Rob Hopkins, founder of the transition town movement, tells his inspirational story at the Postive Energy Conference in the Findhorn Ecovillage.

Monday 10th November—Nether Edge
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.

Monday 17th November—Burngreave
Designing Pathways from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience

Rob Hopkins, founder of the transition town movement, tells his inspirational story at the Postive Energy Conference in the Findhorn Ecovillage.

Three Venues:

* Meersbrook: The Pavilion, Meersbrook Park Rd, S8 9FN

* Nether Edge: St Peter’s Community Centre, Woodstock Rd, S7 1HA

* Burngreave: The Vestry Hall, 2 Burngreave Rd, S3 9DD

Transition Sheffield
- Homepage: http://www.transitionsheffield.org.uk/

Additions

Getting hold of these films

11.09.2008 09:00

If you can't make it to the screenings / discussions then you could download and watch these films, most are available online, I haven't checked if the torrents are being seeded but I expect with some searching alternatives could be found...

Of course DVD's are also available if you want to buy them from the official sites of the films or, to save international shipping, the best option is to get DVD's via Power Switch:

 http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/order.htm

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
 http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3675678/How_Cuba_Survived_Peak_Oil

Six Degrees Could Change the World
 http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/six-degrees-could-change-the-world-3188/
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4143005/National.Geographic.Six.Degrees.Could.Change.the.World.XviD.AC3.
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4048689/Six_Degrees_Could_Change_The_World

What a Way to Go - Life at the End of Empire
 http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com/
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4001591/What_a_Way_to_Go_-_Life_at_the_End_of_Empire

The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of The American Dream
 http://www.endofsuburbia.com/
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3364741/The_End_of_OiL_2004_(Collapse_of_the_American_Dream)_DVD-Rip
 http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3778729/The_End_of_Suburbia_%5BAVI_-_Oil_Depletion_-_Conspiracy_-_Sept_11_

Carbon Weevil
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nALyKU_N5x0

The Story of Stuff
 http://www.storyofstuff.com/

I Am Only a Child
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZsDliXzyAY

Designing Pathways from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kizxt14aPM8

Chris


Comments

Hide the following 12 comments

trouble-shooters for capitalism?

10.09.2008 16:03

Does any of this 'transition' stuff engage directly with capitalism?

Methinks most of your initiatives will help capitalism and the bosses even more.

Liberals, please don't get flustered over this ;)

anti-capitalist


Resilience?!

10.09.2008 16:23

Whatever happened to resistance?!

class struggle @


Oh Please

10.09.2008 20:15

You two just sit behind your keyboards plotting the downfall of whatever...... just leave the rest of us to get of our bloody arses and do summat about it.

Jeez, armchair anarchists............ who probably shop at Lidl........ sod you, what are you doing to offset your impact on the planet? (Chuck a petrol bomb?..... did you offset the carbon?)

Bob


The problem is not just capitalism...

10.09.2008 21:14

Imperialism, Empire, man made climate change, environmental destruction and mass extinctions caused by human activity all predate capitalism -- capitalism is clearly a key part of the problem but it appears to me that getting rid of capitalism is only part of the answer...

Have the critics actually watched these films, most are available via bittorrent, start with "What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire" if you want a big picture overview...

Or this talk by Nafeez Ahmed is great for the big picture as well:

The Hidden Holocaust - Our Civilizational Crisis
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2008/01/388961.html

For more of the debate on traditional activism vs the transition approach see:

“The Rocky Road to a Real Transition”: A Review.
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2008/05/398866.html

And check out this interesting talk from Robert Jensen:

THE OLD FUTURE IS GONE
Speech by Robert Jensen, Vancouver August 11th. Are mass movements over? What is the new activism?
10 MB, 42 min
 http://www.ecoshock.org/downloads/speeches/Jensen_080811_FutureGone_LoFi.mp3

THE OLD FUTURE IS GONE - Q and A
Robert Jensen, Vancouver August 11th. Q and A with activist audience.
16 MB, 67 min
 http://www.ecoshock.org/downloads/speeches/Jensen_080811_QandA_LoFi.mp3

Chris


Climate and Coal Debate

10.09.2008 22:19

Labour Movement Conference;
Class, Climate Change and Clean Coal

The Climate Campers and The unions.
[indent]The Upstairs Lounge
The Bridge Hotel
Castle Garth
Newcastle Upon Tyne

1st November 2008
11-30 - 5-30
Speakers and Agenda

Davie Hopper, Gen Sec, Durham Miners Association
(NE Area NUM) Chair and introduction to conference

David Douglass, IWW (and retired NUM official)
A brief overview on ‘the environment’ and class in the politics of energy

Rachel Whittaker, Wrekin Anarchist Group, Climate
Direct actionist;

Arthur Scargill’ Hon President National Union Mineworkers. Which way for energy?

Paul Chatterton; Leeds University and Climate Camp Activist. Why Not Coal?

Debate and Discussion on first half of conference.
Dinner Break 1-30 / 2-30
(There are a great number of cafes and restaurants within five minutes walk of the conference
or the grounds of St Nicholas Cathedral & the Bigg Market is handy for eating bait)

Chris Kitchen; General Secretary NUM
Chair and introduction to second half

Mr Bob Crow, General Secretary, Rail, Maritime and Transport Union; How we view it.

Kev Grey, Green Anarchism and Climate Camp direct actionist. How we see it.

Ian Lavery, President NUM and International Energy and miners Organisation; Prospects for Coal Production and consumption worldwide.

Paul Morrison; Greenpeace and Climate Camp Activist.

Stan Herschel, Regional Organiser RMT. On or off
the rails on Energy and Climate.

Davie Guy, President North East Area of NUM (and DMA) Prospects for revival of the Great Northern
Coalfield.

Discussion and debate and questions from the floor End of conference 5-30 Social 7-30 with live bands in The Bridge, or the delights of the ‘the toon’ on a Sat night, or stay downstairs in the bar for a more leisurely drink (Invited but not confirmed at time of publicity UNITE, Community, GMB, Powerfuel) Organised by IWW Tyne and Wear in conjunction with The NUM and consultation with RMT and the ‘Green’ movement.

David Douglass

make the middle class history
mail e-mail: worldwarfreeatrisup.net
- Homepage: http://pretentiousartist.com/hello.html


re: Bob

10.09.2008 23:03

Yeah ok Bob, i'll get offa my arse and save capitalism for the bosses and the planet - i might even get funding for it.

@


?

11.09.2008 07:07

Or might you sit at your made by capitalist PC, probably running Capitalist software and use your Capitalist ISP to 'smash the system' aka slag someone off.

Bob


A energy firm boss has caused outrage by joking that rising fuel costs will mean

11.09.2008 10:47

Cut and pasted from corportae news - still worth a read though, and brings the class issue firmly into the climate change debate. Climate chaos IS a war on the poor, and those that profit couldn't give a shit about us!


E.On executive Mark Owen-Lloyd made the joke - ignoring the plight of millions of low-income families who will face a choice between food and warmth this winter.

The gaffe comes as a Government package of measures to help those dealing with soaring fuel costs is unveiled.

The energy firm apologised unreservedly for their head of emissions trading's blunder and warned he could face disciplinary action.

But a Help the Aged spokesman slammed the jibe, saying : "Fuel poverty is no laughing matter. One in four older people struggle to pay their fuel bills and millions may be forced to chose between heating and eating this winter."

An spokesman for industry watchdog Energywatch added: "You can understand traders being glib together but it is very poor taste to do so the day before the Government announces a much-needed package to tackle fuel poverty."

Mr Owen-Lloyd made the comment during a presentation at an Ofgem winter outlook seminar on Wednesday.

Asked how high gas and oil prices could be affected by a harsh winter, he replied: "It will make more money for us."

Labour backbencher Roger Godsiff has been a leading proponent in calling on Gordon Brown to issue a windfall tax on major energy companies.

He said: "It was a very cynical comment that merely shows the contempt that major energy companies have for the general public.

"The really sad thing is, the joke is true and that's why we need the windfall tax."

The National Housing Federation is warning that soaring fuel bills will see 2.6 million homes fall into debt with their energy firms by the end of next year.

An E.On spokesman said: "It was a thoroughly inappropriate comment and we would like to offer an apology.

"We are aware of our customers' difficulties with rising fuel prices and completely understand why people wouldn't find it funny.

"It has been escalated and his chief executive has been made aware - whether or not there will be disciplinary action I cannot say yet."

make the middle class history
mail e-mail: worldwarfreeatrisup.net
- Homepage: http://pretentiousartist.com/hello.html


When the shit hits the fan Bob..

11.09.2008 18:46

When and if the effects of all this apocalyptic stuff kicks in bob, what do you reckon most of us will be doing?

Buying solar panels or networking with the enlightened middle classes who can resiliently insulate themselves from these crisises, like they always do?

I don't think so.

We'll be on the streets resisting, just as people have been in the global south over food shortages and price rises.

Don't get sucked in by all these liberal lifestyle bollox.

Unless you're middle class of course ;)

@


Fans

12.09.2008 03:25

So '@', you are just going to sit there and snipe until the shit hits the fan are you?

Then you will be bravely out on the streets, all face masked up chucking stones at coffee shop windows will you?

Me I'm trying to do something now to try and offset the day that you climb down out of your high chair and get all leery.

So you can you just sit there doing nothing constructive, hoping that one day there will be enough unrest that you may feel brave enough to throw stones and I'll get all 'middle class and liberal' and try growing some of my own food.

See you on the streets, I'll be the one with food in my belly.

Bob


Do you remember the MOD report form last year...?

12.09.2008 12:20

“The Middle Class Proletariat — The middle classes could become a revolutionary class, taking the role envisaged for the proletariat by Marx. The globalization of labour markets and reducing levels of national welfare provision and employment could reduce peoples’ attachment to particular states. The growing gap between themselves and a small number of highly visible super-rich individuals might fuel disillusion with meritocracy, while the growing urban under-classes are likely to pose an increasing threat to social order and stability, as the burden of acquired debt and the failure of pension provision begins to bite. Faced by these twin challenges, the world’s middle-classes might unite, using access to knowledge, resources and skills to shape transnational processes in their own class interest.” — ‘UK Ministry of Defence report, The DCDC Global Strategic Trends Programme 2007-2036’ (Third Edition) p.96, March 2007  http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/94A1F45E-A830-49DB-B319-DF68C28D561D/0/strat_trends_17mar07.pdf

The "debate" above reminded me of this, William Bowles wrote an article on it last month:  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=BOW20080828&articleId=9984 and this is an article from the Guardian at the time:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/apr/09/frontpagenews.news

A few years ago there was a similar US report and I remember both these being posted to Indymedia at the time but I can't find them at the moment (the Google and Yahoo indexes of this site are somewhat selective...).

Of course most of the production that created the urban proletariat in the first place now is undertaken in China...

Chris


Transition towns stuff

15.09.2008 20:29

While it seems that class struggle@ and bob have been having a bit of dialogue and a barney - common sense posting comes from Chris.
In the meantime, all. In relation to Transition and change.....How about a bit of solidarity and co-operation on these all class issues, such as.....
Well the army and air force are big oil/fuel users and wasters and are currently spending ALL taxpayers money on recruitment ....presumably for more wars and killings.
How about a joint effort from the class divide to counter and stop their recruitment advertising....on street posters and bus sides, etc.......to tell the public the real truth about wars, army and air force...in relation to inhumanity and peak oil?

Worth a go....or is it just me then?

Auntie War